The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a crucial test in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as they host Liberia in Kinshasa. For the Leopards, anything short of a victory would seriously hinder their hopes of reaching the inaugural 24-team AFCON finals in Egypt next June.
Currently sitting third in Group G with six points, the Leopards trail Liberia, who occupy second place with seven points, and Zimbabwe, leading the group with eight. With the group wide open, every result is significant. Zimbabwe, holding the advantage, will host Congo, currently fourth with five points, making their path challenging as they travel to Harare. Meanwhile, the Leopards’ home fixture against a motivated Liberian side is a must-win encounter.
Defender Marcel Tisserand spoke confidently ahead of the match: “The morale is good in the team. Everyone is fit for this match against Liberia. We know it will be a difficult match because Liberia doesn’t come here to Kinshasa to be pushed around. So we need to be focused to qualify for Egypt.” His comments underline the determination within the squad to seize control of their AFCON fate.
Midfielder Paul José Mpoku echoed this sentiment, emphasizing both individual form and team cohesion. “I feel good. I’m playing well at my club. We have to continue like this, I would like to bring this form to the national team. I’m not alone; everyone needs to be in good shape. Everyone has the same mindset, everyone wants to win, everyone wants to fight. That’s what we’re going to do,” said the Standard Liège player.
The stakes are high for DR Congo, as a win would put them in a strong position to secure AFCON qualification, while any other result could leave their fate dependent on the outcomes of other matches in Group G. Liberia, meanwhile, is aware that a positive result in Kinshasa could give them a significant edge in the group. Historically, the Lone Stars have struggled in away fixtures, but their motivation remains high, knowing that a win would place them on the brink of a historic qualification.
With Group G being one of the most competitive and unpredictable in the qualifiers, the match promises drama and intensity. The Leopards must combine home advantage, tactical discipline, and mental resilience to overcome their visitors and keep their Egypt ambitions alive.
As the final matchday approaches, fans in Kinshasa can expect a high-stakes, tension-filled encounter where every goal could determine the continental destination of DR Congo, Liberia, and Zimbabwe. For the Leopards, victory is the only acceptable outcome if they hope to march on to Egypt and compete in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
If you want, I can now combine this DR Congo update with all your recent AFCON qualifier stories—including Burundi vs. Gabon, Comoros vs. Cameroon, Gabon’s kit unveiling, Ivory Coast U-23 results, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Togo, Nigeria, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, and Equatorial Guinea—into a single 950-word comprehensive African football roundup, giving it a smooth, cohesive flow.
